Apply for DFC Funding

Why join the DFC Program?

The DFC Program is the nation's leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. Joining this program provides community-based coalitions with up to 10 years of funding to promote positive youth engagement and address the local conditions that drive youth substance use.

Directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the DFC Support Program partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ONDCP’s grant recipient, CADCA, to provide support and guidance to DFC coalitions related to coalition-building, programmatic expertise, and evaluation support.

The substances of focus are:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana/Cannabis
• Prescription drugs
• Tobacco/nicotine
• Heroin and fentanyl
• Methamphetamine

Who is eligible?

Community-based coalitions

A community coalition is a community-based formal arrangement for cooperation and collaboration among community groups, or sectors. Eligible entities are community-based coalitions. Community-based coalitions that are non-profits (501c3 status) can apply.

If community-based coalitions don't have 501c3 status, they can partner with another organization (e.g., school districts, local health departments, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, local hospitals, local governments, or other agencies) to apply for funding.

Partner organizations within a qualifying sector

• Youth: Someone 18 years of age or younger in a public, private, home schooled, or alternative school (you must list their age).

• Parent: A person who is legally responsible for a child, grandchild, or foster child.

• Business: A representative of a business-related organization that provides services that are not in conflict with the goals and objectives of the DFC program.

• Media: A representative of a communication outlet that provides information to the community. Through an appropriate media platform, the representative should be capable of communicating and sharing information (such as in print, digitally, or through social media) that furthers the coalitions mission.

• School: A representative of the school system with influence in school policies and procedures.

• Youth-serving organization: A representative of an organization that provides services to support youth.

• Religious or fraternal organization: A representative of a faith-based organization or representative from ma fraternal organization that is based on a common pursuit of a common goal. The organization must have a substantial program of fraternal activities.

• Law enforcement: A representative of a law enforcement agency. The representative must be an active sworn law enforcement officer, not retired.

• Civic or volunteer groups: A representative of an organization that provides civic or volunteer activities that serves the community (not a coalition member). Examples include Lions clubs, Rotary clubs, and so on.

• Healthcare professionals: An individual or representative of an organization licensed to provide physical, mental or behavioral healthcare services, like a pediatrician, pharmacist, and so on.

• State, local, or tribal government agency with expertise in the field of substance use: A representative of a government-funded agency with a focus on substance use prevention, treatment, or recovery support services.

• Other organizations involved in reducing substance use.

Statutory requirements for community-based coalitions

To apply, coalitions must:

• Be in existence for 6 months
• Include representatives from 12 required sectors
• Have a mission statement related to youth substance use prevention
• Address multiple substances
• Participate in the DFC national cross-site evaluation
• Not overlap with another DFC coalition without a letter of mutual cooperation
• Have the ability to receive federal funding individually or through a partner
• Request no more than $125,000/year
• Secure 100% match from non-federal sources
• Have not received more than 10 years of DFC funding

Deadlines and decision dates

Additional information

Printable version of this page.

Visit Drug-Free Communities Notice of Funding Opportunity: Questions and Answers for more information.